San Camilo de Lelis

Camillus is often called the "Red Cross Saint" for two obvious reasons.  As a founder of the Ministries of the Sick, he instituted humane hospital treatment and his order wore a red cross on the right breast of their black habit.

Camillus' early life was dissolute.  Addicted to gambling, he managed to lose everything he owned.  After a vow made in a fit of remorse, he devoted himself to serving the sick.  Appalled at the conditions that existed in the hospital, he formed a project to attract persons who were interested in devoting themselves to charity.  Feeling that patients' spiritual needs were just as important as their bodily requirements, the took holy orders. 

A frequent subject of retablo art, Saint Camillus always appears ministering to a man who looks more dying than merely ill.  The atmosphere of last rites in suggested.